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THE BEGINNING OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Think About As You Read
1. Where did the Roman Empire begin?
2. Why was Roman law important?
3. How were Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar good rulers for Rome?
Terms, People and Places
conquerors
republic
Senate
senators
veto
accused
innocent
guilty
trial
aqueducts
Romans
Italy
Rome
Carthage
Julius Caesar
Augustus Caesar
Mark Antony
The Romans were some of the greatest conquerors of the ancient world. The
Romans built a great empire. They ruled much the ancient world for over 900 years.
The Romans thought their empire would last forever. But their empire grew weaker
and weaker until it fell apart. You will read about the beginning of the Roman
Empire in this chapter. In the next chapter you will read about the end of the
Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire began in the country that is now called Italy. Italy is a
country in Europe near the Mediterranean Sea. It is also near Greece. Like Greece,
Italy is on a peninsula. Italy also has two large islands. Much of Italy has
mountains.
Around 753 B.C. people began to build the city of Rome in Italy. The people of
Rome were called Romans. The Romans did not want a king or a queen. Rome
became a republic. In a republic, people vote for their leaders. The Roman
republic was led by the Senate. People in the Senate were called senators.
The Romans built aqueducts to carry water into the city.
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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Roman women were allowed to own land and hold jobs, but they
were not allowed to vote.
The Roman republic was not a democracy. Rich
people had much more power than poor people. Poor
people could not be leaders in Rome. Only some
citizens were allowed to vote. Most Romans were not
citizens. Most Romans could not vote. After many
years some laws were changed. Poor Romans could
help make laws. But the rich people of Rome still made
most of the laws.
Women had more freedom in Rome than women
had in Athens. They could own land and hold jobs.
Women in Rome were citizens, but they were not
allowed to vote.
Roman law was very important. Many Roman
ideas and laws are used by countries today. The
Romans used the veto. The veto gives government
leaders the right to stop a new law from being passed.
The Romans also believed that their laws should apply
to all people in the empire. They believed that people
accused of crimes were innocent until they were
found guilty. Romans also believed that an accused
person had a right to a fair trial.
The Romans borrowed many ideas from Greek
culture. They believed in many of the Greek gods.
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.
The Roman god Neptune was
also the Greek god Poseidon
The center of the Roman Empire was the busy city of Rome.
Roman soldiers
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
They gave these Greek gods Roman names. They
made statues and pictures of their gods. They built
strong temples. They built many theaters.
The Romans liked the Greek alphabet. They
changed some of the Greek letters to make the Roman
alphabet. Our alphabet is almost the same as the
Roman alphabet.
There were many schools in the Roman Empire.
Most boys and some girls went to school. They
learned to read, to write, and to do math. Older
children learned to read Greek in school.
The Romans built hospitals and good roads. The
Romans also built bridges and aqueducts. Aqueducts
were used to bring water to the city. Some of these
roads, bridges, and aqueducts are still in use today.
The Romans had a very strong army. The Roman
army conquered all of Italy. There had been Greek
colonies in Italy. The Romans conquered these
colonies. Later, the Romans conquered all of Greece.
The empire became even greater when the Romans
conquered Carthage. Carthage was a great city in
North Africa. It was near the Mediterranean Sea. The
Phoenicians had built the city of Carthage. Carthage
ruled many colonies near the Mediterranean Sea.
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Rome conquered many
civilizations in Europe,
Asia, and Africa. Which
two civilizations in
Africa did the Romans
conquer?
Soldiers from Carthage
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Both Rome and Carthage wanted to rule the land
around the Mediterranean Sea. They fought each
other for more than 100 years. In 146 B.C. Rome
conquered Carthage. The Romans destroyed the city
of Carthage. All the colonies of Carthage became
Roman colonies. Then Rome conquered land to the
east of the Mediterranean Sea. As the years passed,
Rome ruled more and more land.
One of the greatest Romans was Julius Caesar.
Julius Caesar became a leader of the Roman army. He
conquered a lot of land in Europe for Rome. In 49 B.C.
Julius Caesar was named ruler of Rome. He ruled
Rome for five years.
Julius Caesar made many changes in Rome. He
gave land to poor Romans. Many Romans did not
have jobs. Julius Caesar gave these people jobs.
People built new roads and temples for Rome. The
new roads made it easier to travel through all the land
that belonged to Rome. Julius Caesar gave the people
in conquered lands the same rights that Romans had.
After that, many conquered people wanted to help
Rome.
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Some roads that were built by the ancient Romans are still
being used today.
Many senators in Rome thought that Caesar had
too much power. They did not want him to rule Rome.
They killed Caesar in 44 B.C. Rome lost a strong leader.
Two men and their armies fought to rule Rome
after Julius Caesar died. Augustus Caesar and Mark
Antony both wanted to rule Rome. There was a war
between them. Mark Antony lost the war. Augustus
Caesar became the ruler of Rome.
Augustus Caesar was Rome's first emperor. He
became emperor in the year 27 B.C. People do not vote
for an emperor. Rome was no longer a republic. Rome
was now an empire. Augustus was the one ruler of all
the lands in the Roman Empire.
Augustus was a good emperor to his people. He
made fair laws for the empire. While he ruled, many
new cities were built in the empire. Many roads,
bridges, and aqueducts were built all over the Roman
Empire. He built a strong army. Augustus ruled for 41
years. Augustus brought peace to every part of the
empire. This peace lasted 200 years.
Then the Roman Empire slowly grew weaker and
weaker. How did that happen? You will learn the
answer in the next chapter.
Augustus Caesar
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Using What You Learned
Analogies An analogy compares two pairs of words. The words in the first
pair are alike in the same way as the words in the second pair. For example,
pyramid is to Egypt as the Great Wall is to China. Use a word in dark print
to best complete each sentence.
1. A democracy was to Athens as a _______________ was to Rome.
2.
Pharaoh was to Egypt as _____________________ was to Rome.
3. Player is to team as ______________________ is to Senate.
4. Short is to tall as _______________________ is to guilty.
5. Roads are to people and goods as ______________ are to water.
Draw a circle around the correct answer
Choose the Answer
6. Where did the Roman Empire begin?
Greece
Persia
Italy
7. When did people begin to build the city of Rome?
753 B.C.
146 B.C.
27 B.C.
8. Who had most of the power in the Roman republic?
kings
9.
poor people
What city fought with Rome for the land around the Mediterranean Sea?
Athens
10.
rich people
Sparta
Carthage
Which Roman leader ruled for only five years before he was killed?
Julius Caesar
Augustus Caesar
Mark Antony
11. Who became the first Roman emperor?
Julius Caesar
Augustus Caesar
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THI&K A&D APPLY
Exclusions
One word or phrase in each group does not belong. Find that
word or phrase and cross it out. Then write on a separate sheet of paper a
sentence that tells how the other words are alike.
1. Greece
Italy
Carthage
China
3. bridges
pyramids
aqueducts
hospitals
2. veto
democracy
fair trial
innocent until found guilty
4. Socrates
Julius Caesar
Augustus Caesar
Mark Antony
Using Map Directions
Study the map on page 4. Find the compass rose
Then circle the word that best completes each sentence.
1. Spain is __ __ of Italy.
north
west
south
2. Carthage is in the _____ part of Africa.
northern
eastern
western
3. The Black Sea is north of ____________
the Atlantic Ocean
Britain
Egypt
4. In order to get from Rome to Jerusalem by boat, the Romans had to sail
south and then _________.
north
west
east
5. The Roman Empire included land as far _____ as Britain.
north
east
south
6. The _____ was in the southern part of the Roman Empire.
Tigris River
Black Sea
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Nile River
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Skill Builder
Reading a Resource Map
&atural Resources are things we get from the earth. Metals such as iron, copper,
and gold are natural resources. Foods and animals are also natural resources. A
resource map uses symbols to show where different natural resources are found.
The map key tells you what each symbol means. The resource map below shows
where some natural resources were found in the Roman Empire around A.D. 117.
Use the map and map key to answer the questions.
RESOURCES IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE
1. What five resources are shown on the map?
2. What symbol is used to show wool?
3. What resource is found near Athens?
4. Did Romans get their wool from Spain or Italy?
5. What are two resources that are found in Britain?
6. For which resource might the Romans have crossed the Black Sea?
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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RISE OF ROME: A&CIE&T ITALY
Italy is located on a peninsula in
southern Europe. The Italian Peninsula
reaches far into the Mediterranean Sea.
Like Greece, most of Italy is covered by
mountains. Mountains called the Alps run
across northern Italy. The Apennine
Mountains stretch the length of Italy.
The land east of the Apennine Mountains
is poor. In ancient times, few people settled
there. But western Italy has areas of flat,
fertile farmland. People settled there and
raised wheat and other grains.
Western Italy also has good harbors and
rivers. One of those rivers runs through the
center of Italy. It is called the Tiber River.
The Latins
West of Greece on the Mediterranean Sea lies
the land of Italy. Over 3000 years ago, a people
called the Latins settled in Italy. They built a
village on the Tiber River. That village became
the most powerful city of the ancient world
—Rome.
The Romans built a great civilization in Italy.
In time, Roman civilization spread throughout
much of Europe. Roman ideas about architecture,
government, and law were important to the
development of Western civilization.
• What contributions did the Etruscans
and Greeks make to ancient Rome?
• How was ancient Rome governed?
• How did Rome build an empire?
• How did Rome change after building
its empire?
Key Words
You will be using these words in
this chapter. Look them up in the Glossary at the
back of Part. 1.
civil war
republic
dictator
treaty
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
You read that the Mycenaeans moved
into Greece about 2000 B.C. At about the
same time, other groups of people were
crossing the Alps into Italy. One of those
groups was the Latins.
The Latins were farmers and herders
from central Europe. They settled on a
broad plain beside the Tiber River. Their land
became known as Latium.
The Latins built settlements throughout
Latium. One of the settlements spread across
seven hills beside the Tiber River. By about
750 B.C. that settlement had grown into a
village called Rome,
Looking Back
1. Where is Italy located?
2. Who were the Latins? Where did they
settle?
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The Early History of Rome
Little is known about the early days of
Rome. But, like other peoples, the Romans
had legends about their past. One of those
legends describes the founding of Rome.
The legend tells of a princess in Italy
who had twin sons. They were named
Romulus and Remus. The twins' uncle was
a king. He feared the boys would someday
overthrow him. The king ordered the babies
to be thrown into the Tiber River.
The gods took pity on the boys and
brought them safely to shore. A wolf cared
for the babies until they were found by
herders. When the twins grew up, they
killed their uncle. Then they built a city
beside the Tiber River where they had come
ashore. That city was Rome.
The Etruscans
About 600 B.C., a people called the
Etruscans conquered Rome. No one knows
where the Etruscans came from. They may
have come to Italy from Asia Minor.
For the next 100 years, Etruscan kings
ruled Rome. During that time, Rome grew
into a busy trading city.
The Etruscans taught the Romans to
build roads and sewers. They also taught the
Romans to use the arch in building. (An
arch is a curved structure that can support a
heavy weight.) The Romans used arches to
build stone bridges across the Tiber River.
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
The Romans built aqueducts to carry water from
mountain streams to their cities. This aqueduct still
stands in France. Notice that the Romans used
arches to support the weight of the aqueduct.
The Romans also borrowed their alphabet
from the Etruscans. (The Etruscans had
borrowed their alphabet from the Greeks.)
The Romans used the Etruscan alphabet to
write their own language, called Latin.
Today, the Roman alphabet is used to write
many languages, including English, French,
Spanish, and German,
The Greeks
Since about 750 B.C., the Greeks had been
building colonies in southern Italy. Through
trade, the Romans came into contact with the
Greeks.
The Romans learned to raise olives and
grapes from the Greeks. They copied Greek
drama, art, and architecture. They studied
Greek philosophy and science. And they
borrowed religious ideas and even gods from
the Greeks. Later, the Romans spread Greek
culture throughout Europe.
Looking Back
1. What happened to Rome about 600
B.C.?
2. What did the Romans learn from the
Etruscans?
3. What did the Romans borrow from the
Greeks?
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The Roman Republic
You read that Etruscan kings ruled Home
for 100 years. In about 509 B.C. the Romans
rebelled against the Etruscans and drove them
from Rome.
The Romans no longer wished to be ruled
by kings. Instead, they set up a form of
government called a republic. In a republic,
people who have the right to vote elect their
leaders. Those leaders run the government
for the people.
The Roman Republic became an example
for later people, including the people who
founded the United States government.
Government in the Republic
The highest officials in the Roman
Republic were called consuls. The consuls
commanded (led) the Roman army. They
also made sure that taxes were collected and
laws were carried out. A consul held office
for only one year. That made it difficult for
any consul to grow too powerful.
Assemblies of citizens helped to rule
Rome. The most powerful assembly was the
Senate. It was made up of 300 people. The
Senate proposed laws. It also elected the
consuls and gave them advice.
Social Classes in Rome
There were two social classes in the
Roman Republic. The upper class was made
up of wealthy landowners called patricians.
The lower class was made up of farmers,
workers, and merchants. They were known
as plebeians.
The patricians controlled the government.
Only patricians could become consuls or
senators. Plebeians could not hold office.
Plebeians Call for Reforms
Plebeians had to pay taxes. They had to
serve in the army. But they had little voice
in government. Beginning in the 400s B.C.,
plebeians began to call for reforms.
At first, the patricians refused to reform
the government. Then the plebeians took
action. They refused to serve in the army.
They even threatened to leave Rome and set
up their own city.
Those threats forced the patricians to
make changes in the government. The
plebeians won the right to elect officials
called tribunes. A tribune could veto, or
block, actions by any government official or
by the Senate. Tribunes used that power to
protect the rights of plebeians.
The plebeians also won the right to elect
their own assembly. It was called the
Assembly of Tribes. At first, the assembly
had little power. But later, it- passed laws for
all of Rome.
Looking Back
1. What were the duties of the consuls in
the republic? of the Senate?
2. What people made up the upper class of
Rome? the lower class?
3. What, changes gave plebeians a greater
voice in government?
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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Conquest and Expansion
In the 400s B.C., Rome began a long period of
conquest and expansion (growth). The Romans first
conquered their neighbors in central Italy. Then they
conquered the Etruscans to the north.
By about 270 B.C., the Romans had conquered the
Greek city-states of southern Italy. They now
controlled most of the Italian Peninsula.
The Roman Army
Rome's success on the battlefield was due to its
powerful army. The Romans built the mightiest army
of their time. They divided their army into groups
called legions. A legion had about 6000 soldiers. Each
legion was divided into smaller units of 60 to 120
soldiers.
In battle, the Romans moved their small units
quickly to wherever they were needed. That gave
them an advantage over enemies who fought in
phalanxes. (You read that phalanxes were groups of
soldiers who fought in tight blocks.) Phalanxes were
larger, slower, and harder to maneuver.
War with Carthage
Rome's main rival in the Mediterranean was the city
of Carthage in North Africa. You read that the
Phoenicians founded a colony at Carthage around 800
B.C. In time, Carthage became an independent
city-state.
Carthage built an empire that included parts of
Spain, North Africa, and the island of Sicily.
In 264 B.C. Rome and Carthage began a series of
wars called the Punic Wars. The First Punic War
lasted for 23 years. The Romans defeated the
Carthagenians _and won control of Sicily. With Sicily,
Rome had its first overseas territory and the beginning
of an empire.
Hannibal and the Second Punic War
The Second Punic War began in 218 B.C.
In that year, Carthage's greatest general
invaded Italy. His name was Hannibal.
Hannibal surprised the Romans by
invading Italy from the north. He first
landed an army of 50,000 soldiers and 37
elephants in Spain. Then he marched across
Spain and France, over the Alps, and into
Italy.
Hannibal defeated several Roman armies
in Italy. But he was not able to capture
Rome. In 204 B.C., a Roman army landed in
North Africa and threatened Carthage.
Hannibal was forced to leave Italy to defend
his homeland.
The Defeat of Carthage
The Romans defeated Hannibal at Zama, a
town near Carthage. In the treaty that
ended the war, the Romans forced Carthage
to give up Spain.
In 149 B.C. Rome and Carthage began the
Third Punic War. After three years of
fighting, the Romans captured Carthage.
They destroyed the city. Carthage's territory
in North Africa now belonged to Rome.
Rome's Empire Grows
During the years of the Punic Wars, Rome
also expanded to the east. The Romans
conquered Macedonia, Greece, and Asia
Minor. Syria and Egypt came under Roman
control.
By 130 B.C., Rome ruled most of the
Mediterranean world. Romans now called
the Mediterranean Mare ostrum. In Latin,
that means "Our Sea."
Looking Back
1. Why was the Roman army successful?
2. What were the Punic Wars?
3. Describe Hannibal's invasion of Italv.
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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The End of the Republic
The conquest, of an empire changed
Rome. Riches from conquered lands poured
into the city. But only a few Romans became
wealthy. Many Romans suffered during the
years of conquest.
Roman workers were one of the groups
that suffered. Thousands of slaves from
conquered lands were sent to Rome. Slaves
did most of the work once done by Roman
workers. Some Romans were forced to beg to
survive.
Farmers also suffered. Huge amounts of
grain were brought to Rome from conquered
lands. As a result, the price of grain fell.
Roman farmers could no longer make a living
by selling their grain. Many farmers lost their
farms.
Farmers looking for work crowded into
Rome. But Rome had no work for them.
Julius Caesar
Roman workers and farmers turned to the
government for help. But the government
was controlled by wealthy Romans. It did
little to help the poor. Rome was soon deeply
divided between the rich and the poor.
For over 100 years, the city was torn by
riots, rebellions, and civil wars. (A civil war
is a war fought between groups who live in
the same country.)
In 49 B.C., a general named Julius
Caesar came to power in Rome. The Senate
made Caesar dictator, or absolute ruler, of
Rome. Caesar used his power to help the
poor. He gave farms to Romans who had lost
their land. He also created jobs for the poor.
Julius Caesar was popular with many
Romans. But some senators resented
Caesar's growing power. They feared Caesar
would make himself king. In 44 B.C., a group
of senators assassinated Caesar.
Julius Caesar was a successful general and a great
speaker and writer. In 59 B.C, he was elected "consul of
Rome, Later, the Senate made him dictator- or absolute
ruler, for life.
Caesar Augustus
After Caesar's death, Rome was again
torn by civil war. The struggle for power was
won by Caesar's adopted son. His name was
Octavian.
In 27 B.C., the Senate made Octavian
consul, tribune, and military leader for life.
It gave him the title Augustus, which meant
"honored." After that, Octavian was known
as Caesar Augustus.
Under Augustus, the Roman Republic
came to an end. The Senate continued to
meet. But it had little real power. Augustus
was the sole ruler of Rome.
Looking Back
1. Why did many Roman workers suffer
during the years of conquest?
2. Why did farmers suffer?
3. How did Julius Caesar help the poor?
4. What happened to the republic under
Augustus?
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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The Rule of Augustus
The Romans held games and contests in a huge outdoor
stadium called the Coliseum, It held about 5O,OOO people.
The ruins of the Coliseum still stand in Rome
Caesar Augustus came to power in Rome in
27 B.C. By then, Rome controlled a huge empire.
The rule of Augustus began a long period of
peace and prosperity in the empire. That period
is called the Pax Romano, or "Roman Peace."
Around A.D. 180, the Pax Romana came to an
end. For nearly 300 years, civil wars and
invasions weakened the empire. Then, in A.D.
476, the Roman Empire fell.
• How was Rome ruled during the Pax
Romana?
• What was life like in Rome during that
time?
• What caused the fall of the Roman
Empire?
• What contributions did the Romans make
to Western civilization?
Key Words
You will be using these words in
this chapter.
emperor
public
patriotism
treason
Historians call Augustus the first Roman
emperor. (An emperor is the absolute ruler
of an empire.) He ruled the Roman Empire
for 41 years.
Augustus was a wise and able (skillful)
ruler. He improved living conditions in
Rome. Fires often destroyed large sections of
the city. Augustus set up a fire brigade
(group) to fight fires. He also set up a police
force to protect Romans from criminals.
Augustus built new theaters and other
public buildings in Rome. Many of those
buildings were made of marble. (Marble is a
beautiful stone often used in building.)
"I found Rome built of bricks,” Augustus
said, "I leave it clothed in marble."
Peace and Good Government
Augustus brought peace to the empire.
He placed Roman legions on the empire's
borders. The legions stopped rebellions and
kept out invaders.
Augustus also improved government in
the empire. He chose good officials to run
the provinces, or conquered territories- He
paid the officials well so that they would
not be tempted to steal government funds.
The emperor also encouraged trade. He
cleared the Mediterranean Sea of pirates.
He built good roads linking distant cities to
Rome. And he had coins made that could be
used anywhere in the empire.
Looking Back
1. How did Augustus improve living
conditions in Rome?
2. How did he bring peace to the empire?
3. How did he improve government in the
empire?
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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The Roman Empire
= Walls
The Emperors of the Pax Romano
The rule of Augustus began a long
period of peace in the Roman Empire. It
was called the Pax Romana, or Roman
peace. It lasted for over 200 years. During
that time, the empire was ruled by good and
bad emperors. But even during periods of
bad rule, the empire remained strong.
After Augustus died, his stepson
Tiberius became emperor. Tiberius was an
able ruler. But he had thousands of people
executed (killed) because he suspected them
of treason. One Roman wrote that during
the time of Tiberius, "Not a day passed
without an execution.”
The next emperor, Caligula, was insane.
He angered Romans by making his horse a
consul and a priest. In A.D. 41, Caligula was
killed by his own guards.
Caligula was followed by his uncle
Claudius. Claudius was a good ruler. He
added the island of Britain to the empire.
Then in A.D. 54, Claudius was murdered.
His stepson Nero became emperor.
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
Nero was a cruel ruler. Many Romans
believed he was insane. While Nero was
emperor, a great fire destroyed much of
Rome. Some Romans suspected that Nero
himself set the fire.
Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius
Nero was followed by several good
emperors. In A.D. 117, a general named
Hadrian
became
emperor.
Hadrian
strengthened the empire's defenses. To keep
invaders out, he had walls built along the
borders of the empire in Britain and
Germany.
In A.D. 161, Marcus Aurelius became
emperor. During his rule, invaders attacked
the empire in Asia Minor and Europe. But
Aurelius pushed the invaders back.
When Aurelius died in A.D. 180, the Pax
Romana came to an end. The empire entered
a long period of war and disorder.
Looking Back
1. What was the Pax Romana'?
2. What did each of these emperors
accomplish?
a. Claudius
b. Hadrian
c. Marcus Aurelius
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Life in Rome
During the Pax Romana. over a million
people lived in Rome. Romans overflowed
the streets in daytime. At night, carts
bringing in food and goods jammed the
streets. Many Romans complained that the
noise ruined their sleep.
The Roman Family
Roman life centered around the family.
Households were often large, with parents,
children, relatives, and slaves living
together. The father was the head of the
household. By law, everyone had to obey
him.
Roman women had few legal rights. But
they had more freedom than Greek women.
Many Roman women worked in small shops.
A few owned their own businesses.
Some Roman children were educated.
But education ended for most Romans at
about age 12. Usually, only wealthy Roman
children received more education.
Young people in Rome married early.
Many girls were married by age 13, many
boys by age 15. Parents chose husbands and
wives for their sons and daughters.
The Rich and Poor of Rome
The rich and poor of Rome lived very
different lives. Wealthy Romans lived in
large houses. Many also had country homes
away from the noise and crowds of the city.
The houses of the rich had running water
and private baths. The walls were often
decorated with beautiful paintings.
The poor people of Rome lived hard lives,
without free food from the government,
many would have starved. The poor lived in
crowded, dirty apartment buildings that
were often several stories high. The wooden
buildings often collapsed or burned down.
This wall painting of a husband and wife was found in
the ruins of Pompeii, a city in southern Italy, The wife is
holding a writing instrument and tablet. The husband is
holding ONE ROLL of papyrus.
Amusements
Many Romans, rich and poor, spent their
evenings in one of Rome's public baths. The
baths were huge indoor pools where people
washed and rested. At the baths, Romans
caught up on the latest news and gossip.
Romans also enjoyed free amusements
provided by the city. Chariot races were
popular. They were held in a huge racetrack
called the Circus Maximus.
Other games and contests were held in
an outdoor stadium called the Coliseum.
There Romans sometimes saw battles to the
death between trained warriors known as
gladiators.
Looking Back
1. Describe a Roman household.
2. How did the poor in Rome live?
3. What did Romans do for fun?
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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The Decline and Fall of Rome
After the death of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman
Empire declined, or grew weak. One reason was
that the system for choosing a new emperor
broke down.
In the early years of the empire, an emperor
usually named a close relative to be the new
emperor. After Aurelius, that system fell apart.
When an emperor died, Roman generals fought
each other. The winning general became the new
emperor.
Emperors were often murdered after only a few
years of rule. Then fighting would begin again.
Years of bloody civil war weakened the empire.
High Taxes Hurt the Empire
Heavy taxes also weakened the empire. The
taxes were needed to pay the large Roman army.
Tax money was also needed to buy food for the
poor of Rome and to pay for public games. In
time, it seemed that all the money people earned
went to Rome as taxes.
Heavy taxes and disorder in the government
turned people against Rome. Feelings of
patriotism faded away. (Patriotism is love of one's
country.) Many people "were no longer willing to
serve in the government or join the Roman army.
The Empire is Divided
In A.D. 284, the emperor Diocletian came to
power in Rome. He brought order to the empire
for a time.
Diocletian believed that the empire was too
large for one person to rule well. He divided the
empire into two parts. He ruled the eastern part.
Another emperor ruled the western part.
In A.D. 324, Constantine I became
emperor. He brought the empire back
together under his rule. He moved the
capital from Rome to Byzantium, a city
in Asia Minor. He renamed the city
Constantinople after himself.
For a time, the empire remained united.
But in A.D. 395, it was again split. The
eastern part became known as the Eastern
Roman Empire. It included Greece, Asia
Minor, and Egypt. The western part became
known as the Western Roman Empire. It
included most of Europe and North Africa.
Germans Conquer the Western Empire
During the A.D. 300s, large numbers of
Germanic peoples invaded the Western
Empire. The Germans were hunters and
herders from central and northern Europe.
They left their homelands to raid Roman
farms and towns.
The Germans moved across Europe into
Spain and North Africa. In A.D. 476, a
Germanic tribe called the Visigoths attacked
Rome. The once-great city fell.
The Eastern Empire held off the Germanic
invaders. It survived for nearly 1000 years.
But the Western Empire was gone.
Looking Back
1. How did the system for choosing an
emperor change in Rome?
2. How did high taxes and disorder in
government hurt the empire?
3. What happened to Rome in A.D. 476?
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The Arch of Constantine was built in Rome around A.D. 315;
it honors a military victory by the Roman emperor
Constantine.
The Contributions of Rome
After A.D. 476, Rome was no longer the
center of a great empire. But Roman culture did
not die. Roman knowledge and ideas became
part of European life. Rome played an
important role in the growth of Western
civilization.
Roman Law
One of Rome's great contributions was its
system of law. The Romans developed a legal
system for all the peoples of the empire. The
legal system was fair to everyone, not just,
Romans.
Under Roman law, a person accused of a
crime was said to be innocent until proven
guilty. Judges made sure everyone had a
chance to be heard in court. Then they reached
a decision based on the facts.
The legal systems of many modern countries
in Europe and the Americas are based on the
Roman system.
Roman Engineering
The Romans were outstanding engineers.
(An engineer is a person who plans and builds
roads, bridges, and other structures.) The
Romans built the best roads and bridges of the
ancient world. They paved their roads with
stones to keep them from turning to mud when
it rained.
The Romans invented a new building
material called concrete. It was less costly and
easier to use than brick or marble. The Romans
also discovered new ways to build with arches
and domes. (A dome is a rounded roof.) Later
peoples copied Roman building methods.
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
Roman Language and Writing
The Romans spread the Latin language
throughout the empire. Today, millions of
people speak languages based on Latin. Those
languages include Spanish, French, and Italian.
Many English words also come from Latin.
The Romans produced some of the finest
writings of the ancient world. One important
writer was Cicero. He was a government leader
who lived during the Roman Republic. Cicero
wrote hundreds of letters and speeches. His
writings are still read and studied today.
Another great writer was the poet Virgil.
The emperor Augustus asked Virgil to write a
poem honoring Rome. Virgil wrote the Aeneid.
The Aeneid describes the adventures of a
warrior named Aeneas and the beginnings of
Rome. It is one of the great works of the
ancient world.
Looking Back
1. How were people treated under Roman
law?
2. What contributions did the Romans
make in engineering?
3. Thinking Deeper: Why do you
good roads were so important to the
think
18
&ame _________________________________
Date __________
Chapter 7
Section 1: The Roman Republic
Guided Reading Handout
A. As You Read
Directions: As you read Section 1, answer the following questions in the space provided.
1. On which peninsula is Rome located?
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. When did people first settle in Rome?
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Which mysterious people conquered the Romans around 600 B.C.?
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. What was the form of government established by the Romans after they drove out the last Etruscan
king?
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Which empire was destroyed as a result of Rome's invasion of North Africa?
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Who became dictator of the Roman world in 44 b.c.?
___________________________________________________________________________________
B. Reviewing Key Terms
Directions: Complete each sentence by writing the correct term in the blank provided.
7. In Rome, ordinary citizens were called ______________________________.
8. In the senate, the power was held by men from the wealthy classes, called _____________________.
9. In times of emergency, Romans could appoint a _____________________, who was given the
powers of a king but could rule for only six months.
10. The word _______________________comes from the Latin term meaning "I forbid it."
11. In Rome, two men called ____________________ ruled the government and had the power to veto
each other's actions.
12. A form of government in which citizens elect leaders to rule in the name of the people is a
___________________________________.
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
19
&ame _________________________________
Date __________
Chapter 7
Section 2: The Roman Empire
Guided Reading Handout
A. As You Read
Directions: As you read Section 2, fill in the table below with information about imperial Rome. Under
each main idea, write two supporting statements.
Main Idea A
The first Roman emperor, Augustus, set an example for skillful rule that allowed the empire to flourish.
1.
2.
Main Idea B
Two of Rome's greatest achievements were in the areas of architecture and law.
3.
4.
B. Reviewing Key Terms
Directions: In the blanks provided, write the definitions for the following key terms.
5. province
6. aqueduct
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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&ame _________________________________
Date __________
Chapter 7
Section 3: Daily Life Among the Romans
Guided Reading Handout
A. As You Read
Directions: As you read Section 3, fill in the table below with facts about life in Rome.
Ancient Romans
How They Lived
1.
The Wealthy
2.
The Poor
3.
Slaves
4.
Women
B. Reviewing Key Terms
Directions: Complete the sentence below by writing the correct term in the blank provided.
5. Along with free grain, the emperors also provided poor Romans with huge entertainment events
called ____________________________________________.
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
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&ame _________________________________
Date __________
Chapter 7
Section 4: A &ew Religion: Christianity
Guided Reading Handout
A. As You Read
Directions: As you read Section 4, fill in the table below,
Facts About Christianity
1.
Where it Started
2.
When it Started
3.
How the Religion
Spread
4.
Persecution of
Followers
B. Reviewing Key Terms
Directions: In the blanks provided, write the definitions for the following key terms.
5. Martyr
____________________________________________________________________________________
6. Disciple
____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Epistle
____________________________________________________________________________________
8. Gospel
____________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Moore’s Ancient Rome Handouts
22
&ame _________________________________
Date __________
Chapter 7
Section 5: The Fall of Rome
Guided Reading Handout
A. As You Read
Directions: As you read Section 5, complete the table below with information about the fall of Rome.
A.D. 180
1.
A.D. 330
2.
A.D. 410
3.
Directions: In the space provided, describe how each concept contributed to the decline of Rome's power.
4. Weak, Corrupt Rulers
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
5. Use of Foreign Soldiers
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
B. Reviewing Key Terms
Directions: Complete each sentence by writing the correct term in the blank provided.
6. Soldiers who fight for a country in return for pay are called _____________________________.
7. An economic situation known as __________________ occurs when the value of a country’s money
decreases.
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